When you think of hillclimb events, large SUVs are not what you first imagine racing up mountainous tracks.
But that hasn’t stopped Bentley, though, which has shaved nearly two minutes off the previous SUV record with a near-production version of its Bentayga.
The Bentayga raced up the hill with a time of 10:49.9 at the hands of renowned hillclimb competitor Rhys Millen.
The famous Pikes Peak route climbs nearly 5,000ft through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, taking in 156 corners.
Bentley’s member of the board for sales & marketing, Chris Craft, said: “This record proves the outstanding dynamic ability of the Bentayga – demonstrating again how Bentley Motors is the only automotive company in the world that can combine pinnacle luxury and breathtaking performance.”
The Bentayga was only altered to meet the Pikes Peak regulations. This meant it had its front seats replaced with racing versions, while the rear seats were taken out to leave room for a roll cage and fire suppression system to be fitted. The tyres were also replaced, while an Akrapovic sports exhaust was also installed. The vehicle used was fitted with Bentley’s 600bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine and painted in an eye-catching shade of ‘Radium’ Satin.
To celebrate the record, Bentley has announced a production run of 10 ‘Pikes Peak Bentayga’ special editions. The models will be built by Bentley’s coachbuilding division Mulliner, and finished in either ‘Beluga’ black paintwork or Radium green, and come with two-tone 22-inch alloy wheels.
Bentley’s ‘Black Specification’ will see the chrome detailing replaced with gloss black and carbon fibre details, while Pikes Peak badges will also be added.
As for the inside, there’s ‘Beluga’ leather with lime green accents, as well as Alcantara trim featuring throughout the interior. Carbon fibre dash inserts will also have Pikes Peak emblems on them.
Prices have not been announced for the Pikes Peak Bentayga, although expect a significant jump in price over the standard W12 Bentayga, which starts from £162,700. Order books will open in August.
